Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Association Between Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Recreational Physical Activity

  • Published:
Maternal and Child Health Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the association of recreational physical activity before pregnancy with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). A cross-sectional study was performed using self-reported data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring System. The study population included 1,052 self-reported GDM cases and 10,351 non-GDM controls. Recreational physical activity in the 3 months before pregnancy was recalled in postpartum structured interviews. Compared to women exercising less than 1 day per week, women who exercised >5 days per week in the 3 months before pregnancy had a 31% lower odds of GDM (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46, 1.03). Women who exercised 1–4 days per week had a 7% lower odds of GDM (aOR: 0.93; 95%CI: 0.72, 1.19). We did not observe statistically significant associations between pre-pregnancy physical activity and GDM risk. However, the magnitude and direction of association are consistent with previous observational studies. These studies collectively suggest a role of physical activity in GDM prevention.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Mottola, M. (2007). The role of exercise in the prevention and treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 6, 381–386.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. American Diabetes Association. (2009). Gestational diabetes. Retrieved December 30, 2009, from http://www.diabetes.org/gestational-diabetes.jsp.

  3. Brown, W. J., Burton, N. W., & Rowan, P. J. (2007). Updating the evidence on physical activity and health in women. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 33, 404–411.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Dempsey, J. C., et al. (2004). A case-control study of maternal recreational physical activity and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 66, 203–215.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Dempsey, J. C., Butler, C. L., & Williams, M. A. (2005). No need for a pregnant pause: Physical activity may reduce the occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 33, 141–149.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Zhang, C., et al. (2006). A prospective study of pregravid physical activity and sedentary behaviors in relation to the risk for gestational diabetes mellitus. Archives of Internal Medicine, 166, 543–548.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Dye, T. D., et al. (1997). Physical activity, obesity, and diabetes in pregnancy. American Journal of Epidemiology, 146, 961–965.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Ecker, J. L., & Greene, M. F. (2008). Gestational diabetes–setting limits, exploring treatments. NEJM, 358, 2061–2063.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. ACOG Practice Bulletin. (2001). Clinical management guidelines for obstetrician- gynecologists. Number 30, September 2001 (replaces Technical Bulletin Number 200, December 1994). Gestational diabetes. Obstet Gynecol, 98: 525–538.

  10. Xiong, X., et al. (2001). Gestational diabetes mellitus: prevalence, risk factors, maternal and infant outcomes. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 75, 221–228.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Brown, W. (2002). The benefits of physical activity during pregnancy. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 5, 37–45.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Dempsey, J. C., et al. (2004). Prospective study of gestational diabetes mellitus risk in relation to maternal recreational physical activity before and during pregnancy. American Journal of Epidemiology, 159, 663–670.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Oken, E., et al. (2006). Associations of physical activity and inactivity before and during pregnancy with glucose tolerance. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 108, 1200–1207.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Savitz, D. A., et al. (2008). Ethnicity and gestational diabetes in New York City, 1995–2003. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 115, 969–978.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Chasan-Taber, L., et al. (2008). Physical activity and gestational diabetes mellitus among Hispanic women. Journal of Women’s Health, 17, 999–1008.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Department of Health and Human Services. (2008). Physical activity fundamental to preventing disease. Retrieved April 10, 2008 from http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/physicalactivity/physicalactivity.pdf.

  17. Artal, R., et al. (2007). A lifestyle intervention of weight-gain restriction: Diet and exercise in obese women with gestational diabetes mellitus. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 32, 596–601.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Clapp, J. F. (2006). Effects of diet and exercise on insulin resistance during pregnancy. Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders, 4, 84–90.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2008). Pregnancy risk assessment monitoring system (PRAMS). Retrieved March 1, 2008, from http://www.cdc.gov/prams/.

  20. Ryder, J. W., Chibalin, A. V., & Zierath, J. R. (2001). Intracellular mechanisms underlying increases in glucose uptake in response to insulin or exercise in skeletal muscle. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica, 171, 249–257.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Lydon-Rochelle, M. T., et al. (2005). The reporting of pre-existing maternal medical conditions and complications of pregnancy on birth certificates and in hospital discharge data. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 193, 125–134.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the contributions of the PRAMS Working Group: Alabama—Albert Woolbright, PhD; Alaska—Kathy Perham—Hester, MS, MPH; Arkansas—Mary McGehee, PhD; Colorado—Alyson Shupe, PhD; Delaware—George Yocher, MS; Florida—Marie Bailey, MA, MSW, MPH; Georgia—Carol Hoban, Ph.D, MS,.MPH; Hawaii—Mark Eshima, MA; Illinois—Theresa Sandidge, MA; Louisiana—Joan Wightkin; Maine—Tom Patenaude; Maryland—Diana Cheng, MD; Massachusetts—Hafsatou Diop, MD, MPH; Michigan—Violanda Grigorescu, MD, MSPH; Minnesota—Judy Punyko, PhD, MPH; Mississippi—Marilyn Jones, M.Ed; Missouri—Venkata Garikapaty, MSc, MS, PhD, MPH; Montana—JoAnn Dotson; Nebraska—Brenda Coufal; New Jersey—Lakota Kruse, MD; New Mexico—Eirian Coronado, MPH; New York State—Anne Radigan-Garcia; New York City—Candace Mulready-Ward, MPH; North Carolina—Paul Buescher, PhD; North Dakota—Sandra Anseth; Ohio—Connie Geidenberger; Oklahoma—Alicia Lincoln, MSW, MSPH; Oregon—Kenneth Rosenberg, MD; Pennsylvania—Tony Norwood; Rhode Island—Sam Viner-Brown, PhD; South Carolina—Mike Smith; South Dakota Tribal—Christine Rinki, MPH; Texas—Kate Sullivan, PhD; Tennessee—David Law, PhD; Utah—Laurie Baksh; Vermont—Peggy Brozicevic; Virginia—Marilyn Wenner; Washington—Linda Lohdefinck; West Virginia—Melissa Baker, MA; Wisconsin—Katherine Kvale, PhD; Wyoming—Angi Crotsenberg; CDC PRAMS Team, Applied Sciences Branch, Division of Reproductive Health. We also acknowledge the assistance of Ms. Denise D’Angelo and Dr. Indu Ahluwalia in obtaining and using the data.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University at Buffalo, SUNY, School of Public Health and Health Professions, Buffalo, NY, USA

    Stephanie L. Redden, Michael J. LaMonte, Jo L. Freudenheim & Carole B. Rudra

Authors
  1. Stephanie L. Redden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Michael J. LaMonte
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jo L. Freudenheim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Carole B. Rudra
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carole B. Rudra.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Redden, S.L., LaMonte, M.J., Freudenheim, J.L. et al. The Association Between Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Recreational Physical Activity. Matern Child Health J 15, 514–519 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-010-0586-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-010-0586-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation